As summer came to close last week the time had come for people to gather and celebrate the start of the autumn season. While most autumn festivals in the United States involve pumpkins, fall leaves and more pumpkins, some festivals bring world culture and fall together into experiences that are unlike anything most people get to witness. One such world festival I attended this past weekend was the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Clearly as a follow-up to IKEA France’s IKEA tables & naturist resorts ad from awhile ago, IKEA launched a new series called Together We Eat, depicting families enjoying meals together while showcasing IKEA’s innovative home furnishings at the same time. But there was one ad that stood out to me that featured a positive portrayal of women, and I’ve never forgotten it.

By now most people know who IKEA is. Know all over the world for its assemble-it-yourself philosophy and modern home furnishings, IKEA has changed the way consumers shop and design home furnishings for his or her home. But IKEA tables and naturist resorts, you say? As bizarre as it might sound, it’s a stroke of advertising genius – and in some way portrays a lifestyle in a fun, positive way without crossing over into “let’s make fun of them” territory.

The Columbia River Gorge (just as you make your way out of Troutdale, Oregon) is a sight to behold. It’s the Disney World for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls one could get an incredibly sense of what makes Oregon the best of the best in the United States. One such hike I had my eyes set on but at first was hesistent to attempt was Oneonta Gorge.Read More »

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Wow. Sunday, July 5th, 2015. It’s a date I will never ever forget. Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and the U.S. Women’s soccer team took center stage and triumphed in unforgettable fashion over Japan 5-2 in the Women’s World Cup final in Vancouver, BC. It’s the greatest sports story of redemption, courage, team empowerment and the determination of a group of women who gave their all and proved to the world – and women’s sports critics and naysayers – that women CAN play on the same level as men – but even better!

On this particular day I decided to venture to Italy. Well, not quite, but a trip to Italy via Portland Art Museum in downtown Portland for the Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945 exhibition that is. At this new exhibition, many of the very best in Italian fashion was on display while telling the story of Italy from the post-World War II / Benito Mussolini days to the present. With no passport required but only a $20 admission fee and an open mind to explore and learn, I was off on another exploration (and cultured) adventure.

Late Monday afternoon, the supremely talented humorist, model and author Brittany Gibbons tweeted a powerful message (shown above) that resonated with me in my lifelong passion for being a supporter and ally to women and women’s rights.